Framework


 * A Framework for Supporting Second Language Acquisition with Technology**

Second Language Acquisition may be viewed as the parallel development of four interdependent skills: speaking, listening, reading comprehension, and writing. These skills can be viewed in terms of media (written versus oral) or in terms of use (consumption versus production). Underlying all of these skills is the scaffolding of language mechanics: vocabulary, conjugations, sentence structures, and so forth. Accompanying the language acquisition process is the notion of cultural awareness and the application of analysis and higher-order thinking skills.

Classroom technology, including software, web-based resources, and hardware, offers an exciting potential to support all of these core skills. Many teachers use technology to support one or two of these skills; we argue that an integrated approach can effectively support all of them. Technology cannot replace a competent teacher, but technology can be used to supplement the teaching process, to provide effective and measurable practice experiences, and to manage differentiated instruction across a number of levels in the same classroom. Technology can also provide access to authentic materials and realia that would otherwise not be available in the classroom.



From //French as a Second Language: Three Year Program of Studies//, Alberta Education, 2007.



Websites for print media (newspapers, magazines) Tutorial websites (e.g., BBC, FSI) Online games and activities Online reading comprehension activities Reading blogs and wikis eBooks Mind mapping software, e.g., Inspiration, Kidspiration Word processing software, e.g., Word, and collaboration word processing applications, e.g., Google Documents, Zoho Auralog Rosetta Stone Online dictionaries Web translation tools
 * Reading**

Mind mapping software, e.g., Inspiration, Kidspiration Creating blogs and wikis Word processing software, e.g., Word, and collaboration word processing applications, e.g., Google Documents, Zoho Presentation software, e.g., PowerPoint Instant messaging applications, e.g., MSN Messenger, Yahoo Messenger Online Exercises (grammar, etc.) Tutorial websites (e.g., BBC, FSI) Online games and activities Auralog Rosetta Stone Online verb conjugators Online dictionaries Web translation tools
 * Writing**

Voice Telephony applications, e.g., Skype, Google Talk Creating and publishing Podcasts iPods and MP3 players Presentation software, e.g., PowerPoint CD-Based courses (e.g., Pimsleur) Auralog Rosetta Stone Audacity and other digital sound recording software Video cameras and video editing software, e.g., Windows Movie Maker, iMovie
 * Speaking**

Voice Telephony applications, e.g., Skype, Google Talk Websites for visual media (television, news channels) Online games and activities Listening to Podcasts iPods and MP3 players CD-Based courses (e.g., Pimsleur) Auralog Rosetta Stone Audacity and other digital sound recording software Video cameras and video editing software, e.g., Windows Movie Maker, iMovie Tutorial websites (e.g., BBC, FSI)
 * Listening**